On Track Sports Psychology

On Track athletics has teamed up with Sports Psychology Consultant Rebecca Symes to offer visitors of On Track Athletics weekly tips on Sports Psychology. Rebecca has worked with a range of clients from the world of sport and business. She offers a range of services including one-to-one sessions and group workshops. If you would like some advice or book Rebecca please contact her either by e-mail on sportingsuccess@googlemail.com or phone her on 07730 602544.

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Week 11

K is for Kinaesthetic, Visual and Auditory

Kinaesthetic, visual and auditory are all types of learning styles. While we all learn things through a variety of methods everyone has a preference towards one particular style. This is not to say it is the only way we learn; simply that it is our optimal mode of learning.

Visual learners prefer information to be presented in a visual format such as through text, diagrams or pictures. They are likely to imagine things in their head or take notes when they are learning. Auditory learners find information they can listen to the most accessible. They will take more on board through hearing a presentation/lesson/lecture or by talking it through with someone else. Alternatively kinaesthetic learners need to get involved in order to learn the most. They will have a desire to try things out and experience it for themselves or have some form of interaction. Have a think for a moment, are you more likely to understand and remember something if you are told it or speak with someone about it (Auditory), if you see it written or see an image/picture of it (Visual) or by getting involved and doing the thing itself (Kinaesthetic)?

So how would knowing your learning style benefit you in your sport? Well have you ever been in a situation where your coach is trying to go through something with you and you just don’t feel like you’re getting it, or you don’t remember it after the event? Well there is a possibly that the information is being presented to you in a way which is not the most suitable for you. Perhaps you are just being told something, when really you are a visual learner and would therefore prefer the information being conveyed through the use of a diagram or in a format you can picture in your head. Alternatively you may be shown something visually when really you are a kinaesthetic learner and would gain more by getting involved and trying it out for yourself. If you are aware of what your learning style is, communicating this with your coach will help to ensure you both get the most out of your session. Learning styles do not just refer to new information or skills, essentially it relates to your preferred mode of communication. For example, by knowing your learning style your coach can provide you with feedback on your training or performance in the most appropriate way. If you are a visual learner this may involve putting pen to paper, if auditory, a simple description of what you did will be sufficient whereas if you are a kinaesthetic learner re-enacting particular aspects to understand exactly what you did may be the most beneficial.

For coaches, you can begin to understand a little about your athletes’ learning style by listening to the words/phrases they use. Visual learners for example will say things such as ‘I see what you mean’; ‘I get the picture’; ‘it appears to me’ and so on. Auditory learners are more likely to say ‘I hear you say’; ‘that sounds like a good idea’; ‘loud and clear’ etc. Kinaesthetic learners tend to favour saying such as ‘on the other hand’; get a load of this’; ‘slipped my mind’ and so on. Equally when describing things they will use words which match their preferential mode so it can be worth listening to their choice of language. Additionally coaches tend to coach according to their own learning style so it can be useful to be aware of what yours is and if necessary try to adapt the way you are conveying information in a format that is more appropriate for your athlete.

In order to find out your learning style, speak to your school or a sport psychologist who should be also to help you identify your preferential mode. Having this awareness will not only help you in your sport but also at school, with revision and when communicating with other people. Learning in the appropriate way may lead to benefits such as more enjoyment and satisfaction, better recall and more efficient learning. However don’t forget that your learning style is NOT the only way you learn it is simply your preferred method.

Remember you can e-mail any questions regarding Sports Psychology to Rebecca Symes